Jurgen Klopp Reacts To Philippe Coutinho's Move To Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho's £142 million move to Barcelona has been confirmed, and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has provided his thoughts.

Coutinho desperately wanted the move to the Nou Camp in the summer but Liverpool held firm and he ended up playing a fine six months of football at the club, scoring 12 goals and chipping in with eight assists.

Barcelona's interest remained, however, and Liverpool accepted the Blaugrana's big offer this time around, with the deal getting done and dusted fairly quickly.

Klopp, who regularly maintained that his star player would not be moving on, expressed his reluctance to see him go but spoke of how the club were powerless - given that Coutinho had been hopeful of making the switch ever since Barcelona registered an interest in him.

Image: PA

"It is with great reluctance that we - as a team and club - prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho," he told the official Liverpool website.

"It is no secret that Philippe has wanted his dream move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.

"Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen.

"Despite that, we managed to keep the player here beyond the summer window, hoping that we would be able to persuade him to stay and be part of what we are looking to do.

"I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of LFC was as attractive as moving to Spain, but he is 100 per cent certain his future - and that of his family - belongs at Barcelona. It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind.

"Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years of service and as disappointed as we are he doesn't want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him well."

Liverpool now have the small task of finding a suitable replacement for Coutinho and using the £142 million they have received, to good effect. Monaco's Thomas Lemar, heavily courted by Liverpool in the summer, would appear to be their top target.

Topics: Liverpool, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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